17 Facts About Michael Chamberlain

Michael Leigh Chamberlain was a New Zealand-Australian writer, teacher and pastor falsely implicated in the August 1980 death of his missing daughter Azaria, which was later demonstrated to be the result of a dingo attack while the family was camping near Uluru in the Northern Territory, Australia.

Michael Chamberlain was born in Christchurch, New Zealand, the eldest son of Ivan and Greta Michael Chamberlain.

Michael Chamberlain's father served as a warrant officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II, while his mother was involved with the administration of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in southern New Zealand.

Michael Chamberlain subsequently studied at Avondale College in Cooranbong and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1969.

Michael Chamberlain married Lindy Murchison the same year, after meeting her in 1968.

In 1977 the family moved to Queensland, where Michael Chamberlain produced and presented a radio program called The Good Life, a commentary on lifestyle and culture throughout the northern parts of the state.

Lindy Chamberlain was tried for murder and given a life sentence, while Michael was convicted of being an accessory after the fact and given an eighteen-month suspended sentence.

Two weeks later, Michael Chamberlain was awarded a Master of Arts degree through Andrews University.

Michael Chamberlain later attributed his perseverance in studying for the degree during this difficult period as motivated by anger towards the Northern Territory government.

Three years later, Michael Chamberlain married Ingrid Bergner and in 1996 they had a daughter named Zahra.

In 2002, Michael Chamberlain attained a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Newcastle for his thesis entitled "The changing role of Ellen White in Seventh-day Adventism with reference to sociocultural standards at Avondale College".

However, the swing was not enough to claim the seat and Michael Chamberlain went on to accept a three-year teaching post at an Aboriginal high school in Brewarrina, New South Wales.

Michael Chamberlain returned to Cooranbong in 2006 and taught at Gosford High School until 2008, when he retired.

In 2016, Michael Chamberlain was appointed a conjoint professor at the University of Newcastle.

Michael Chamberlain was a conjoint research fellow in the School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Michael Chamberlain died on 9 January 2017, aged 72, at Gosford Hospital on the New South Wales Central Coast due to complications of acute leukaemia, and had a farewell service held at the Avondale College's Seventh-day Adventist Church one week later.

Michael Chamberlain is portrayed by Sam Neill in the 1988 film Evil Angels.